A celebrity has "committed suicide," premeditatedly murdering himself, and, because he was famous for his comedic abilities, we are all "shocked and saddened."
To be saddened by the scope of this problem is the right and natural response.
The shock is not as understandable.
Why are we surprised that someone with a great sense of humor and all that fame and fortune provide could become a "victim" of depression?
Just look at the list of dead comedians and other artists.
Money not only can't buy love, it can't buy hope.
It is now in vogue to regard this "mental illness" ("condition," if you prefer) as a result of bad brain chemistry; but, this is just moving the problem down the page. Brain chemistry is affected by a number of factors, among them the emotions that are produced, to some degree by that very chemistry, which is, in turn, affected by diet, trauma, stress, and even genetics.
This still mysterious closed loop of interactions is being "treated" by medical doctors who have split into denominations.
Some are researchers in the field of neurology who have focused on the physiological processes and discovered chemicals which can switch the brain into a mode that changes the subject's behavior to a more comfortable, manageable standard.
Others are invested in the quasi-science of "psychology," a field of endeavor presuming to deal with the part of "the mind" which had, for centuries, been considered "spiritual." The word they have appropriated for this use is, in fact, derived from the Greek word for "spirit," not "mind."
Of course, it is important for the secular doctor to rule out any possibility of anything "supernatural;" so the entire field bases its approach on correcting the mind through various forms of "therapy" (including chemicals, again), none of which is proven, all of which are fleshly.
Neither of these genius hordes can regard the heart as anything more than a muscular pump; even though "science" now knows
there are brain cells in the heart.
What? Yep. Why would that be? Evolution is so random and strange, isn't it?
The Bible (a book you may have heard of, revered as The source of Truth for millennia) has a lot to say about the heart. It turns out it's more than just the place where we feel things.
The Bible says the heart is the source of ideas, imaginations--that out of it come the issues of life.
We are warned that it is desperately wicked, can be deceived, and can be "given over" to others, including The Creator, who has offered to actually indwell it, once invited, to comfort, heal, strengthen, and deliver to eternal life.
"Clinical depression" sounds so treatable to the aspiring mind mechanic. To get involved with non-scientific vagaries is pointless to the carnal mind. The Bible also says that.
Sorrow, however,--deep, inconsolable grief at the state of things--bottomless sadness and hopelessness--is not something we are going to banish with a chemical brew and its concomitant list of dangerous "side effects."
If you look out there, and are not depressed by what you see,
you may, in fact, be crazy.
The Bible has answers that explain what has happened, and God's plan to provide a remedy and an escape. It is packed with practical life-saving tools for emotions, crises, finances, marriage, parenthood--every challenge we face. And The Author stands by, ready to personally intervene and to supply the missing character required to effect the transformation.
Out of answers? Can't really even express the question?
My personal testimony to you is that the Bible is truer than I ever imagined.
I challenge anyone to forget what you have been told about this amazing book, and what you have heard from the desperate deniers, and begin to read it for yourself.
What are you afraid of?
Would you turn your back on the only real redemption available just because it might change your really swell life?
That is depressing.
